Arkansas Student Committee addresses student concerns
Drew Van Patter
Issue date: 10/24/08 Section: News
The first official meeting of the Arkansas Student Committee addressed the drafting of a letter to the UA concerning students' rights and representation on campus.
The committee's main priority is to make students a part of the administration's decision-making process, said Jacob Holloway, committee founder.
"The administrators are the ones that can change things, but they should listen to us students," Holloway said.
Tasks for the committee's first meeting were to figure out what students are thinking, form goals and decide how to communicate those goals to the administrators, senior Adam Roberts said.
A main topic of discussion during the meeting was the UA tobacco ban. Without a student vote, the UA administrators instated the ban July 1, which prohibited tobacco use on any university-owned properties.
"I understand the ban as a health concern, but I feel that the decision is limiting our freedoms," UA student Chad Chamberlain. "We don't pay the university to be denied freedoms that are allowed everywhere else."
Roberts said students would not be outraged over the smoking ban if UA administrators had asked the students what they want.
"It was arrogant that [UA administrators] made the decision without asking the students for a vote," Roberts said.
Junior Jordan Walker said the tobacco ban is an infringement on students' inalienable rights as citizens of the United States.
"The 25-feet-from-buildings rule is OK, but the complete ban of smoking in open air is ridiculous," Walker said.
Another area of concern was with the Associated Student Government Constitution.
"Nothing forces the ASG branches to work together," Holloway said. "It's not working like a government should. There is nothing in the ASG Constitution for student consent."
ASG Senate Chair Jonathan Powell stepped in to clarify exactly what the ASG Constitution is.
"The ASG Constitution is not a legal document; it's an educational document," he said. "When you register as a student, you sign on to the on-board policy. It will not let the ASG fail."
The committee's main priority is to make students a part of the administration's decision-making process, said Jacob Holloway, committee founder.
"The administrators are the ones that can change things, but they should listen to us students," Holloway said.
Tasks for the committee's first meeting were to figure out what students are thinking, form goals and decide how to communicate those goals to the administrators, senior Adam Roberts said.
A main topic of discussion during the meeting was the UA tobacco ban. Without a student vote, the UA administrators instated the ban July 1, which prohibited tobacco use on any university-owned properties.
"I understand the ban as a health concern, but I feel that the decision is limiting our freedoms," UA student Chad Chamberlain. "We don't pay the university to be denied freedoms that are allowed everywhere else."
Roberts said students would not be outraged over the smoking ban if UA administrators had asked the students what they want.
"It was arrogant that [UA administrators] made the decision without asking the students for a vote," Roberts said.
Junior Jordan Walker said the tobacco ban is an infringement on students' inalienable rights as citizens of the United States.
"The 25-feet-from-buildings rule is OK, but the complete ban of smoking in open air is ridiculous," Walker said.
Another area of concern was with the Associated Student Government Constitution.
"Nothing forces the ASG branches to work together," Holloway said. "It's not working like a government should. There is nothing in the ASG Constitution for student consent."
ASG Senate Chair Jonathan Powell stepped in to clarify exactly what the ASG Constitution is.
"The ASG Constitution is not a legal document; it's an educational document," he said. "When you register as a student, you sign on to the on-board policy. It will not let the ASG fail."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 5
NoFanOfHollowMan
posted 10/23/08 @ 9:58 PM CST
Jacob Holloway is whining because he didn't get elected president of ASG. He wasn't elected president because he has the personality of a toad and no credentials. (Continued…)
Union6thFloor
posted 10/24/08 @ 9:30 AM CST
Although I agree with the principles being pushed, Holloway is by far the wrong person to push them. He comes across as whiny, can't keep his composure, and has no people skills. (Continued…)
Jacob Holloway
posted 10/25/08 @ 6:17 PM CST
Gee guys,
Sorry that I am letting you down...... Maybe you should try organizing something productive yourselves instead of complaining about me doing something. (Continued…)
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